Genesis 24:63 – “Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening; and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, camels were coming.”  NASB

Any designation given to any person is only as powerful and impactful as the reality of it in their lives.  I can call myself anything, but if the fruit and evidence of that claim are not a natural and normal part of my life, my claim falters.  I have met many people in ministry identifying themselves as ‘this or that’ and even putting it on their business cards, letterhead, and websites.  I am not blasting acknowledging a particular call or gift, but a designation must be accompanied by fruit and evidence that supports that.  It must be visible and verifiable, not simply proclaimed. 

I could claim to be a ‘brain surgeon,’ and although attempting to practice medicine without a license is illegal, that claim would not make me a surgeon.  I could claim to be an ‘Ace Pilot,’ and anyone willing to fly on an airplane with me would be foolish without examining the evidence and verifying my credentials and training.  I could claim to be a ‘Financial Expert,’ and some would likely allow me to manage their money, but they would be misguided without the evidence and fruit of my claim. 

We can claim to be a ‘Christian,’ but unless there are fruit and evidence of that claim, without the fruit and evidence, will not place our name in the Book of Life.  Whether I make the claim or others identify me in a particular way, it is meaningless, deceptive, and destructive without the fruit and evidence backing up that claim or designation.

Here in Genesis 24, we find an interesting statement regarding Isaac as he was awaiting the return of Eliezer, Abraham’s eldest servant’s return with Isaac’s bride.  It says that Isaac went out to meditate in the evening.  That alone would not be enough to identify him as a ‘Man of Prayer,’ so what other evidence can we find that identifies him thusly? 

When virtually everyone was leaving for Egypt due to a famine in the land, Isaac prayed, and God instructed him not to follow the crowd but stay where he was. (Genesis 26).  The Bible tells us that Isaac sowed in that land and received in the same year a hundredfold, and the Lord blessed him (Genesis 26:12). 

Let me suggest that his secret was prayer and faith.  He would ‘sow’ his seeds in the morning and in the evening to pray, water, and anchor what he had done.  Ecclesiastes 11:6 informs us, “In the morning sow thy seeds, and in the evening, withhold not thine hand…”  There is work to be done in the morning and work to be done in the evening.  

Prayer is not a passing infatuation but a lifestyle.  Isaac would dig his wells in the morning and in the evening, go out to pray, and by morning the wells would be full of water. When the Philistines took his wells, he did not have to fight in the natural; he went to prayer and repeated the process and had water.

But those are insufficient to earn him the label “A Man of Prayer.”  Is there more?  I’m so glad you asked.  In Genesis 25:21, the Bible tells us that Isaac’s wife could not have children, and “Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Isaac was a man that knew how to get results on his knees.  His life provides evidence and fruit that makes the designation valid.  If we learn to do nothing else in this life, we must learn to pray and become men and women of prayer.  It is through Prayer that we are enabled and empowered to engage in Spiritual Warfare. 

I would encourage you to remember the words of our LORD in Mark 11:24, “WHATEVER it is that you desire WHEN YOU PRAY, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”  In a sense, that is a blank check, but a blank check that is rooted in obedience and commitment to God.  The believer has the same secret weapon that Isaac utilized and enjoyed the blessings of God – PRAYER!

May the LORD bless you richly as you move forward into this day!